JPH0576052B2 - - Google Patents

Abstract

For the user guidance of a terminal, it is known always to output the same operating instructions, for example on a screen, in an order which is correct for the handling, independently of prior knowledge of a user. <??>To make a user guide more flexible for different users, an adaptive user guidance is made possible in dependence on user data determined during the operating sequence, which are compared with stored reference data. <??>The period of time is measured which elapses from the output of an operating instruction to the execution of an operating process by the user and the number of operating errors per operating instruction is determined. The data found are compared with reference data which characterise an average user. A user graded as untrained (that is to say below average) then receives more detailed operating instructions than an average user and a user graded as trained (that is to say above average) receives fewer or no operating instructions in the output. <IMAGE>

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application] The invention relates to communications and data terminals in which accumulated prompts for a predetermined sequence of user actions are output on a screen under the control of a control unit. Relating to a method and circuit arrangement for guiding a user.

PRIOR ART It is known that in order to operate a user terminal, the steps necessary for the search for desired information in a videotex system, ie a television receiver, are carried out in an interaction between the user and the videotex system. After setting up the connection, an initial page is transmitted to the user requesting the user to enter a password. A message is thereby transmitted to the user, which can be called up, for example, by pressing a key. The dialogue is usually terminated by pressing a predetermined sequence of keys (see the document “Der Bildschirmtextdienst der
(See “Deutschen Bundespost” pages 345-350).

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] The increasing use of microprocessors, especially in communication terminals, and the characteristics of planned multi-service integrated networks such as broadband ISDN, are making it possible to realize increasingly complex service characteristics. .

However, such communication terminals should not be operable only by trained professionals. The use of terminals in offices, homes and new public facilities must be widely available.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a circuit arrangement and method in which flexible guidance is provided to users of different communications or data terminals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This object is achieved by a communication user terminal device and a method for providing guidance to a communication user terminal according to the invention.

A communication user terminal device with an adaptable user interface according to the present invention includes a memory for storing machine-readable prompts, each corresponding to one or more user actions, and a memory for storing machine-readable prompts, each corresponding to one or more user actions; a control unit for determining which prompts are required to guide a particular user and generating a sequence of output signals corresponding to the requested prompts; output means responsive to an output signal from the control unit to output a machine-readable user input signal to the control unit in response to each said user action performed by said particular user; an input means responsive to a physical input from a particular user on the machine; a time measuring unit for measuring the elapsed time from the time when each of said output signals is outputted to the input of said machine-readable input signal; a user error counter for determining whether a readable input signal corresponds to a user error operation and counting the number of errors in said user input signal input by the input means followed by an output signal corresponding to a predetermined prompt; a reference data register storing typical user reference data corresponding to a predetermined sequence of user actions, including predetermined upper and lower limits for each user action; Reference data limited by predetermined upper and lower limits stored in reference data registers for each user operation, with elapsed time and user input error counts determined by unit and user error counters, respectively. The control unit determines whether the elapsed time and the number of user error inputs determined by the time measuring unit and the user error counter, respectively, are within, above or below the said upper limit value. , the sequence of user prompts output by the output means to that particular user by outputting one or more corresponding output signals.
the control unit inserts one or more additional prompts and takes one or more actions if the elapsed time and the number of user input errors determined by the time measurement unit and the user error counter, respectively, are below said lower limit. eliminating at least one subsequent prompt from the sequence of user prompts output by the output means to that particular user without outputting an output signal for the particular user.

The method of providing an adaptable user interface according to the present invention also comprises providing the user with specific user prompts forming a predetermined stored standard user prompt corresponding to a predetermined sequence of correct user actions. measuring and accumulating the time elapsed between the output of the particular user prompt and the execution of the associated first user action by the user;
determining whether the first user action is correct or an error, and if so, determining whether subsequent user actions are correct or errors; and determining whether the first user action is correct or an error; Count initial and subsequent user actions and compare the measured elapsed time and the counted number of user input error actions per user prompt to the accumulated reference data for a predetermined sequence of correct user actions. and a predetermined standard sequence of user prompts when said measured elapsed time and counted number of user input errors are within a reference data time interval defined by predetermined upper and lower limits. one or more additional prompts to be inserted into the predetermined standard sequence if the measured elapsed time and the counted number of user input errors are above an upper limit; and omitting output of one or more subsequent prompts in the standard sequence of user prompts if the measured elapsed time and the counted number of user input errors are below a lower limit value. It is said that

The present invention allows user guidance for a communications or data terminal to be audibly adapted to widely varying user proficiency levels. Unfamiliar users are given very detailed prompts, which are reduced according to the user's proficiency.

As a result, experienced users who have made careless mistakes are not given unnecessary guidance, and inexperienced users are assisted with user guidance that can be adapted to their experience.

Embodiment As shown in FIG. 2, a public telephone booth Z includes a video telephone BF consisting essentially of a video camera K and a video display unit BW. Video camera K and video display unit
The BW image tubes are not located on the same optical axis, resulting in parallax. To avoid this, a semi-transparent mirror HS is placed in the beam path between the video camera K and the user's position. These mirrors deflect the beam coming from the video camera K, so these directions are
Match the direction of the beam path between BW and user. Such a video telephone BF is described in German Patent No. 34 31 902 A1.

A circuit arrangement for adaptable user guidance can be integrated into the video display unit BW. It includes a control unit SE (FIG. 1) connected to a memory S and in which prompts for a predetermined sequence of actions of the user of the public video telephone are stored. The user prompt is
In this case, it is output on display unit AZ, which is the screen BS of video phone BF, and/or
Or it is output audibly through the loudspeaker L.

Control unit SE is connected to input unit E (see FIG. 3) and to time measuring unit ZE.
A time measuring unit ZE is also connected to the input unit E in order to determine the period of time Δt that has elapsed from the output of the user prompt to the operation of the input unit E. A user error counter FR connected to the control unit SE calculates the number of user errors per prompt. Also the control unit
A reference data register RR is connected to SE, in which reference data of time intervals and error numbers corresponding to a predetermined sequence of user operations is stored.

The control unit SE includes an image counter BR which calculates the number of output user prompts from zero to a final value K and a user error counter (described below) which operates to classify the user.
Connected to TR.

The control unit SE can be constituted by a commercially available microprocessor with input/output control and associated write, read and program memory functions.

As shown in Figure 3, public video phone BF
The input unit E for operating the card has a card reader KL connected to a credit display GA. The vertical adjustment of the user's image is carried out by a video camera K (see FIG. 2), the input unit E having a first key T1 and a second key T2 below the first key. Pressing the first key T1 moves the user's head upwards in the image, and pressing the second key T2 shifts the image in the opposite direction.

Furthermore, the input unit E includes a conventional pushbutton device TW for a dial. The video phone BF has a hands-free device (not shown), and the volume of the playback sound is controlled by the third key T3 (up) and the fourth key T3 (up).
It is changed by key T4 (down). The fifth key T5 of input unit E is provided for disconnecting the telephone connection and returning the credit card.

The method of providing adaptive guidance to the user of the public video telephone BF is illustrated by the flowchart of FIG. 4 and the input unit E shown in FIG.

The user of the video phone BF must perform a predetermined sequence of five actions:

(1) Insert the credit card into the card reader KL.

(2) Adjust the image using the first and second keys T1 and T2.

(3) Enter the calling number to be dialed.

(4) Adjust the volume of the reproduced sound using the third and fourth keys T3 and T4.

(5) Release the connection using the fifth key T5.

The reference data entered into the reference data register RP is generally determined by a user test involving a large number of test items ("learning phase").

From the time values determined for each user prompt, a time average value n is calculated, and an upper value (n+a×sn) and a lower value (n−a×sn) are calculated from the standard deviation sn to predetermine the time interval. It is determined. Here, a is a constant, and a≧1.

The average value can be predetermined corresponding to the number of user errors per prompt. For this example, a criterion of zero or zero errors per prompt is assumed for simplicity.

The image counter BR has a value of BR=0 at the beginning of the user guidance and a final value of K=4 is set for 5 user actions. The user counter TR also has an initial value of TR=0, TR=0
The count indicates the characteristics of the average user, that is, the user corresponding to the reference value. A negative count RT<0 indicates an inexperienced user, and a count TR>0 indicates an experienced user.

The user error counter FR counts first.
FR=0. At the end of each user operation,
The user error counter FR is set to zero by the control unit SE. The user error counter has a preset maximum count of FR=3.

Referring to FIG. 4, in a first step 1, the count of the image counter BR is sensed;
If =0, this indicates the beginning of user guidance. After entering a telephone booth (for example monitored by an infrared motion detector), the user is given a first prompt 1a. That is, the credit display GA of the input unit E presents the amount 0.00DM to indicate to the user that the video phone BF is ready for service.

In step 4 of Fig. 4, the time measurement unit
ZE is started. In the next step 5, it is determined whether the user has already entered any information through the input unit E. If no input has been made by the user, it is determined in step 5a whether the time Δt measured so far is greater or less than a predetermined reference value _tA . value
t _J can be chosen freely; in this example it is between 2 and 10 seconds.

If Δt is less than the reference value _tA , step 5 is repeated; if Δt is greater, the user error counter is incremented by 1 in step 22. In step 23, the count of the user error counter FR is sensed and if the predetermined maximum value FR=3 has not yet been reached, execution jumps to step 19.

Since the measurement time Δt is greater than the predetermined reference value _tA , the user is classified as unskilled and an additional prompt is output in step 20, image n, apart from the original prompt 1≦n≦ It is K. This is a credit card card reader KL
It may be an audible request for insertion or a corresponding written request on the screen BS of the video phone BF. Then execute step 4
jump to. That is, the time Δt is measured again.

If in step 5 it is determined that the information has been input through input unit E, the time measurement is terminated in step 6. If the user inserts a credit card into the card reader KL,
That is, if the input associated with the prompt was made in step 7, the count of the user error counter FR is sensed in step 8.

In step 7, for example, input through input unit E transfers the credit card to card reader KL.
If it is determined that the execution was performed by actuating one of the keys T1 to T5 rather than by inserting the key into the key T1-T5, the user has made a mistake and is classified as an inexperienced user.

User counter TR is 1 in step 21
Only the user error counter is decremented.
FR is incremented by 1 in step 22. This is a step as shown above.
23, 19, 20 and 4.

The counter of user error counter FR is FR=
3, ie the maximum value F has been reached, the user error counter FR is set to zero in step 24.
The image counter BR and the user counter RT are then set to zero in step 15 and the user guidance is terminated in step 16.

This step is necessary because if too many user errors are determined for the prompt, it must be assumed that the user only wants to "manipulate" the video phone so that the end of the user guidance is appropriate. was selected.

If it is recognized in step 7 that the credit card has been inserted into the card reader KL, the user error counter is set in step 8.
FR count is sensed. If FR=0, it is determined in step 9 whether the time determined by the time measuring unit ZE is Δt>n+sn, ie whether it is above the upper limit value n+sn. If it is above the upper limit, the user counter TR is set to step 25.
is decremented by one. If not, whether the measurement time is Δt<n−sn,
That is, it is determined in step 10 whether it is below the lower limit value n-sn. If it is below the lower limit, the user counter TR is incremented by one. In either case, i.e. after step 25 or 26
11 is executed as follows.

If the measurement time Δt is neither above the upper limit in step 9 nor below the lower limit in step 10, the measured value is determined by the standard deviation tn and the associated limit. used in step 11 to calculate the value,
It is stored in the reference data register RR instead of the reference value that has been stored so far.

For example, the 30 last measurement times for the prompt can also be used to calculate the new time average value and the corresponding limit value determined by the standard deviation.

User error counter count is FR>0
If it is discovered in step 8 that
The image counter BR is incremented by one and the user error counter FR is set to zero in step 12. In step 13, the count of the image counter BR is sensed. BR=K+
1, ie BR=5 in this example, the image counter BR and the user counter TR are set to zero in step 15 and the user guidance is terminated in step 16.

However, since only the first user action, which is the insertion of the credit card into the card reader KL, has been completed, the count of the image counter BR is BR=1 (step 13) and the step
At step 14, execution jumps to step 1.

The count of the image counter BR is different from zero as the count of the user counter TR is sensed in step 2. If TR=0, ie the user is classified as average, then in step 3 the image n of the next prompt for the second action is read from the memory S and displayed on the screen BS.

After inserting the credit card, the video phone is first switched to self-observation mode. That is, the image of the user taken by the video camera K is displayed on the screen BS with the prompt that the image can be moved up or down by actuating the first or second key T1 or T2 of the input unit E. will be displayed.

Then, in step 4, Δt is measured by the time measuring unit ZE. Following step 4, the same sequence as described above for the first user action takes place.

If it is found in step 2 that the count of the user counter TR is not zero, the count is checked in step 17 as to whether it is greater or less than zero. If it is greater than zero, i.e. the user is skilled, then
In step 18, the output of the next prompt is skipped, or only a very simplified prompt is provided. This is followed by the start of time measurement in step 4 and the sequence described above.

The time Δt is long compared with the reference value _tA accumulated in step 5a, and the user is given a corresponding prompt to adjust the image in step 19, so the user cannot adjust the image due to skipping the prompt. If so, the user error counter FR is incremented by one in step 22.

User error counter in step 17
TR count is less than zero. That is, if the user is found to be unfamiliar, additional prompts are directly output in step 19 as explained above. This additional prompt for adjusting the image by means of the first and second keys T1, T2 can be output audibly through the loudspeaker L or visually on the screen BS of the video telephone BR.

After outputting the additional prompt or skipping the prompt, time measurement by time measurement unit ZE is started again in step 4. After the completion of the second user action (in step 2 the user error counter FR = 0, in step 13 it is incremented by 1 and the image counter is BR = 0).
2), step 1 is the third user action,
ie subsequent dialing of the desired video telephone subscriber by means of the pushbutton device TW. When this operation is completed, the image counter BR is
It has BR=3. After setting up the connection, the self-observation mode changes to the called subscriber observation mode.

For the fourth user action, the user's attention is the third key T (up) and the fourth key (down)
(BR=4 after completion) and for the fifth user action a prompt is given so that the connection can be released by the fifth key.

After disconnecting, the credit card is returned (possibly accompanied by a flash or beep on the Credit Display DA), the payment amount is displayed on the Credit Display DA, and the screen
BS is turned off.

In step 13, the image counter counts BR.
=K+1, the image counter BR and the user counter TR are set to zero in step 15 and the user guidance is terminated in step 16.

Such adaptive guidance is performed not only for different users but also for the same user.

The method according to the invention allows the user to be classified as unskilled, average or skilled for the next user action (see step 2 in FIG. 4). Additionally, any initial error nature during successive user actions can be corrected.

This adaptive user guidance, which allows for better utilization of communication or data terminals, could in principle be used for human-machine interfaces.

Skipping prompts allows experienced users to use the terminal continuously.

More detailed prompts would further reduce errors by unfamiliar users. In both cases, the terminal will be rapidly released to other users.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a circuit arrangement according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a public video telephone. FIG. 3 shows an input unit according to the invention for operating a public video telephone. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the method according to the invention. Z...Public phone booth, BF...Video phone,
K...Camera, BW...Video display unit, SE...Control unit, KL...Card reader, GA...Credit display, T1, T
2, T3, T4...key.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A communications user terminal device having an adaptable user interface comprising: a memory for storing machine-readable prompts each corresponding to one or more user actions; a control unit for determining which prompts are requested to guide a particular user through the sequence and generating a sequence of output signals corresponding to the requested prompts; and a form perceptible to said particular user. output means responsive to output signals from the control unit for outputting prompts required by the control unit; an input means responsive to a physical input from a particular user to provide a time measurement unit; and a time measurement unit for measuring the elapsed time between the output of each said output signal and the input of said machine readable input signal. , determining whether each said machine-readable input signal corresponds to a user error operation, and counting the number of errors in said user input signal input by said input means followed by an output signal corresponding to a predetermined prompt. a control unit comprising a user error counter and a reference data register storing typical user reference data corresponding to a predetermined sequence of user actions, including predetermined upper and lower limits for each user action; The elapsed time and the number of user input errors determined by the time measurement unit and the user error counter, respectively, are limited by predetermined upper and lower limits stored in the reference data register for each user operation. the control unit determines whether the elapsed time and the number of user error inputs determined by the time measurement unit and the user error counter, respectively, are within, above or below the reference data time interval determined. If above the upper limit, insert at least one additional prompt into the sequence of user prompts output by the output means to that particular user by outputting one or more corresponding output signals. and the control unit outputs one or more corresponding output signals if the elapsed time and the number of user input errors respectively determined by the time measuring unit and the user error counter are below said lower limit value. A communication user terminal device, characterized in that the device eliminates at least one subsequent prompt from the sequence of user prompts outputted to that particular user by the output means without any modification. 2. In a method of providing adaptive guidance to a telecommunications user terminal, providing specific user prompts to the user forming a predetermined stored standard user prompt corresponding to a predetermined sequence of correct user actions; outputting in a perceptible form, measuring and accumulating the time elapsed from the output of the particular user prompt to the execution of a first user action by the user, and determining whether the first user action is correct or an error; and determining whether subsequent user actions are correct or erroneous if so; counting initial and subsequent user actions by said user for each user prompt output for said user; comparing the measured elapsed time and the counted number of erroneous user input actions per user prompt with accumulated reference data for a predetermined sequence of correct user actions; If the number of errors is above the upper limit and within the reference data time interval limited by the predetermined upper and lower limits, then the next in the predetermined standard sequence of user prompts. outputting one or more additional prompts in which the measured elapsed time and the counted number of user input errors are inserted into the standard sequence, and the measured elapsed time and the counted number of user input errors are A method for providing adaptive guidance to a communication user terminal, comprising omitting output of one or more subsequent prompts in a standard sequence of user prompts if the number of user input errors is below a lower limit.